James Van Der Beek’s Cancer Diagnosis: Why It Feels Personal

James Van Der Beek, Dawson’s Creek star, battles stage 3 cancer, bringing fans closer to the actor who shaped a generation’s coming-of-age journey.

I loved Dawson’s Creek. And if you watched that show too, you know what I mean. Whenever anyone mentions the characters or a cast member, a wave of nostalgia sweeps over me, and I find myself back in that world—the world of Capeside and its angsty, overthinking teenagers. Sure, it wasn’t a perfect show, but it was perfect for me at a time when I needed it most. I even rewatched it during the pandemic, finding comfort in that simpler, fictional, small-town life. During those early lockdown days, while we were all holed up, it was my escape—a reminder of a time when the biggest worry was if Joey (Katie Holmes) and Pacey (Joshua Jackson) would end up together, not what was happening in the real world.

“I really felt like this is going to be the biggest life redirect, I’m going to make changes that I never would have made otherwise, that I’m going to look back on in a year, five years, thirty years from now and think, thank God that happened. And that’s how I was 90% of the time. And then 10% of the time I was a sobbing, terrified mess.”

So yes, I genuinely cared about those characters and, in some strange way, about the actors who brought them to life. When I recently learned that 46-year-old James Van Der Beek was facing stage 3 colorectal cancer, it hit hard, like hearing that an old friend was struggling. I mean, I don’t know him personally (obviously!), but he’s such a part of my past that it’s impossible not to feel for him.

James Van Der Beek shares his experience with People

In his recent interview with People Magazine, Van Der Beek shares the moment he found out about his diagnosis and opens up about the mental and emotional journey he’s been on since. He comes across as so calm, sincere, and surprisingly grounded. Watching him speak about something so profoundly challenging, I just wanted to give him a hug.

It’s strange that we feel this connection to the people who lived on our screens for so long, but it’s real. And for all of us who grew up with Dawson’s Creek, James Van Der Beek is more than just an actor—he’s a part of our story. Watch the interview below:

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